Over the past week with the moisture we’ve seen I’ve seen an uptick in mosquitoes flying around and trying to make a meal out of me. This has made me think about how we can reduce the number of mosquitoes where we live and why they bite some people more than others.
If my wife and I or my youngest son and I are outside
together, it is almost guaranteed that the mosquitoes will bite them more. Why is that?
Mosquitoes are attracted to CO2 we exhale while breathing,
our body heat and movement. When the
female mosquito gets close she makes her final choice based on skin
temperature, odor, as perfumes and colognes work as attractants, and other
chemical and visual factors. Dark
colored clothing also attracts mosquitoes more than light colored
clothing.
As far as reducing the number of mosquitoes around
your yard, I have some tips from Missoula County Extension. Dispose of all water-holding containers, such
as plastic jugs, empty barrels, tin cans, buckets, bottles, garbage, etc. If you have old tires around, dispose of them.
Old tires have become one of the most
productive breeding sites in this country.
Turn over canoes and small boats, or cover them with a tarp. If covering with a tarp, make sure tarp does
not sag down and collect water. Cover
trash containers, or drill holes in the bottom of recycle containers to keep
rain water out. Empty wading pools
weekly, or store them inside when not in use.
Change water in birdbaths weekly.
Keep drains and ditches clean so water will drain properly. Fill in any ruts or low spots that could
collect and hold water for more than one week.
If storing wheelbarrows outside, store upside down, or cover with a
tarp. Keep grass cut short and shrubbery
trimmed so adult mosquitoes don't hide in the shaded areas during the day. Fill in hollow stumps with sand or concrete. Inspect eave troughs to assure water is
draining properly. Aerate ornamental
pools, or stock them with fish. Water
gardens may become major mosquito producers if allowed to stagnate. I know I have several things out of those
tips that I can do better at to cut back on mosquito habitats.
If you do have bodies of water near your home that
might need some attention I would encourage you to visit with your local mosquito
control district as they have chemical sprays that they are certified to
use.
To wrap things up this week, to protect yourself from
bites, make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.” Try using proper lighting, such as
fluorescent lights as incandescent lights attract mosquitoes. Lastly, wear an insect repellent that is
right for you. For some people, this
might be something containing DEET, but for others it might be a repellent
containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. No matter, what you use, please consider
using something if you are not wearing long sleeves and pants. 
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